I was in Sydney for 10 days because my cousin got married!
She’s the youngest girl in in our generation (on my dad’s side) and the smallest… hence her nickname Smalls in high school. Though Shannon dubbed her Smallest Wong, which may not be far from the truth. We’re all really tiny women in the family, and i’m the tallest in my gen and half the gen older (shocking but true). I call her Min Min cos of her Chinese name, and couldn’t help looking on in pride at the little girl we used to lock in the cupboard (i swear her sisters played a bigger part in this but i admit partial responsibility by not letting her out) who’s all grown up and gorgeous on her wedding day.
Her bridal troupe preparing torture shots for the groomsmen.
Mama & I
I IG-ed this pic and captioned the below >
?☕️? Someone asked Mama how old she was, and she answered confidently, “86!”
I turned to her after the person had left, “No, Mama, you’re 88 this year!”
Mama: hai ga… oh yeah *nods head*
Me: it’s okay, I forget too! (I blurted out I am 27 the other day when I’m 34!)
Mama: it’s okay la. So old, better die! *pats my hand*
Me: shush Mama! Stop saying that! ???? 88 is a good number!! *holds 8 fingers up in case she didn’t understand*
Mama has diabetes and early onset Alzheimer’s. I cried the day I found out the latter. Aunt G has found chocolates in her room whereupon Mama looked in the sky and said she didn’t remember. She’s currently suspected of using her disease to her advantage. #wily ?
At night, Mama has been found rummaging through her room cos she cannot find her jewelry, much to her despair. She had given it all to us 5 years ago, when she was sure she was gonna go ? So to remind her, we photographed the heirlooms she’d passed on to us so Aunt G could print them to keep in her room.
Ah, it’s that time of the year. The time where we celebrate the most important woman in our lives – our mother! You may have already heard stories about how you were born and the pain your mother endured while carrying you around for 9 months. It didn’t just stop there though – her sleepless nights when you couldn’t stop crying… Oh how she tried everything to make you stop, but ended up crying with you too.
I have fond memories of watching my mom enjoying her favourite Cantonese shows when I was 6 years old, which sometimes, I would get in between cos I was getting caned for doing some dumb shit I wasn’t supposed to. My mother would occasionally get called into the principle’s office because I was being “naughty”. There was also that one time she had to pick me up from the clinic instead of school because I fell into the drain (6 stitches on my shin, fyi). Morning English lessons sometimes got replaced by Art Attack on Disney Channel because she took too long getting ready for work.
One of my mother’s many talents is being able to differentiate between an authentic or fake high end designer bag just by looking at it. Bags are one of my mother’s favourite things, aside from shoes. She always tells my sisters and I that one day we’ll inherit them and they’re going to be worth a lot once they become vintage. There was once I tried to persuade her to sell her RM15k Chanel bag so I could use the money to sign up for a clubhouse membership. She almost caved. Almost… Let’s just say, our mothers would do anything for us. Even the smallest gesture of appreciation would mean the world to her. Which is why i’m taking the opportunity to tell you about BloomThis!
First gaining popularity as a bespoke subscription flower delivery service (sent either weekly or fortnightly), people loved BloomThis cos you never knew what flowers you were going to get till you unboxed them! The company also offers one-off luxurious flower deliveries, and an ever-changing selection of fresh flowers + gifts for special occasions.
BloomThis recently launched their 2017 Mother’s Day collection featuring lush greens balanced with striking floral colours inspired by the intensity of a mother’s love. The florists at BloomThis continue to challenge the status quo of the industry creating unique curations which evoke different emotions and personalities.
Warmth of devotion and a subtle gentleness exude from “Maria”, while Phalaenopsis Lily and Succulent radiate tranquility and zen as shown by “Angelina” (far right). If you prefer giant handheld bouquets which mother can arrange into a vase herself, “Scarlett” is a marriage of the modern and classic incorporating a fiery mix of red Gerberas, red Roses and red Ginger.
Joyce’s hand in front of the gigantic “Maria”, comprising of red, hot cherry pink and pink Roses surrounded by Song of Jamaica and Eucalyptus leaves.
“A change would do you good” are the words of Sheryl Crow, but also, it’s how I felt a few weeks ago when I decided I wanted my hair to be lighter. I haven’t dyed my hair in years. Many years ago, I was shamefully an orange-red head, shameful because it’s a hair shade that clashes with my complexion.
Three weeks ago I sat for hours at the new, extremely luxe 115 Kimarie & Hannan along Jalan Maarof, Bangsar. Kimarie is the Godfather in the Malaysia hairdressing industry, established in 1982 and throughout the years received many accolades for being outstanding. I do remember going to the Kimarie salon in Subang Parade when I was a child for my annual haircut. I don’t think it’s there anymore, but, yes, my memories with Kimarie go way back. I felt a little nostalgic when I walked into the new salon.
Treatment and wash area
115 Kimarie & Hannan is the latest hair & beauty salon under the prestigious Kimarie Hairdressing empire. Other than hair services, one can enjoy pampering sessions such as facial, slimming, manicure, pedicure, eyelash extension and laser hair removal spearheaded by the Hannan Medispa Group.
I had 2-months to think about what I want to do to my hair and was dead-set for a balayage, but alas, they couldn’t cater to my wish as they were pressed for time. I was a bit disappointed and went ahead with the head stylist’s suggestion with only doing the base colour. Jun was assigned to service me and we decided to go for the Ultra Light Colour in Gold Copper.
The whole process took about 3 hours and I am most happy that it does not include getting my hair bleached (I will NEVER bleach my hair). I am absolutely shocked at the hair technology that they have nowdays. I was introduced to a bunch of treatments that are absolutely interesting. While we waited for the colour to set, Jun sprayed my hair with the Nano Tech Mist to make my hair shiny and soft, for the colour to process more evenly and to also decrease the chemical smell.
Right after, she introduced me to the Milbon Ultrasonic 3-step Treatment where the treatment cream / mask was combed evenly through my hair and then sealed with the Ultrasonic Cold/Mist Iron. It’s like ironing your hair, but instead of a hot plate, it’s cold and watery. The cold iron’s function is to enhance the effects of products applied to your hair. It vibrates at 37,000 bits per second so that particles of protein, water and oil treatments are able to penetrate into each strand of your hair. It’s AMAZING!
Strip Malaysia has been one of our clients for over a year now (we handle their KOLs and social media), and once in a while i pop down to Singapore to have a meeting with their SG marketing team cos there’s only so much human connection Skype gives you. This post has been long-time a-coming… (as i say with many-an unblogged posts which i keep swearing to myself i’ll get to…).
These pictures have been in a draft for freaking ages, and they are too pretty not to show off. Judge for yourself!
Rengee (whose team handles the Media) and i went to meet Cynthia Chua, the founder of Spa Esprit Group, which owns Strip and a venerable list of brands like Tippling Club, Common Man Roasters, Tiong Bahru Bakery, and many many more. I was very interested in meeting her for the first time, cos it takes a special kinda someone to successfully carry on a brand like Strip for over 10 years and have it open salons across the world (Bangkok, Jakarta, London, Manila, NYC, Shanghai) not mentioning her heaps of other projects she continuously works on. Today i was just really happy i managed to get my laundry done atop my work -_-
Anyway, Rengee being Rengee went prepared with her excel sheets memorized (i’m assuming, but probably correctly) and i went through my own docs. We both turned up ready with our laptops in hand for (hopefully) any questions we would be asked, but we barely opened them. Cynthia talked for an hour about Strip, how she started, what she wanted to do with it, how she saw it growing, what it MEANT to her and the team, and i realised at the end of the meeting… sometimes it’s not just about how you work, but how you get *others* to work for you, by getting them to realise your vision.
Her charisma leaked unto us and pumped us up, cos we further realized that Strip wasn’t just any brand trying to make it out there being a business… it was growing with all its therapists who’s worked with them for many years, while kickstarting new projects within the brand and hiring more (doing R&D creating their own beauty products, urban gardening projects) all while keeping to its goal of being the global pioneer in hair removal.
We had our meeting just below the Beauty Emporium in Dempsey Hill, which we explored right after >
I’m wearing a dress from Joe Chia, aka my Meeting Dress when i don’t know what else to throw on.
Every corner was an opportunity for a photo cos it was so fun and quirky!
A few weeks ago, i found myself in the same venue two days in a row – a rare occurrence!
First night was because i wanted to go for a marketing seminar Veena organized, alongside the launch of Tribe47 – her latest digital marketing and sales venture.
For a weekday night, the room was impressively packed. You can’t see me cos i’m to tiny and sitting on the floor somewhere at the back.
A new co-working space in KL, Common Ground sits in the Penthouse of Wisma UOA in D’sara Heights. When i first walked in and looked around, i thought to myself, “KL has taste!” Just yesterday i bumped into Adrien Kent who told me he did the ID for the place. Figures! Boy can source my tiles anytime.
Thanks to Sheryl who whipped up the below! >>>
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Common Ground is a new redefined co-workspace in Southeast Asia aimed to inspire creativity and innovation. It is basically a large office space, filled with tables and chairs for you to co-work or work privately. There are multiple options to choose from whether you are looking to rent fixed desks surrounded by your colleagues, to having your own private office. Their spaces are also available to rent for events.
Left: Their event spaces can fit up more than 130 pax. | Right: An overview of their fixed desks space.
Following its debut location’s launch in Kuala Lumpur will be spaces in Penang and Johore, and countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam underway.
Ah, it’s that time of the year. The time where we celebrate the most important woman in our lives – our mother! You may have already heard stories about how you were born and the pain your mother endured while carrying you around for 9 months. It didn’t just stop there though – her sleepless nights when you couldn’t stop crying… Oh how she tried everything to make you stop, but ended up crying with you too.
